Rally can't save 9-year-old San Clemente Little League All-Stars

San Clemente's Vista Bahia Park played host to the second round of the District 68 9-year-old All-Star Tournament, where the Tijeras Creek All-Stars defeated San Clemente Little League's National All-Star team, 11-7, Tuesday night.

With the loss, San Clemente National drops down to the loser's bracket, where it still has an opportunity to keep its championship hopes alive in the double-elimination tournament.

"We ended the game on a high note; we're still in it," San Clemente Coach Dan Giles said. "We trailed, 11-2, going into the sixth inning, and our kids kept their heads in the game. They played hard and scored five runs."

Coming up big for the San Clemente All Stars in their sixth-inning rally was Logan Yanes, who hit a shot to right field for a three-run triple with two outs. But it was too little, too late for San Clemente.

Averaging more than three hits per inning for a total of 19 hits in the game, Tijeras Creek also was solid on defense with great fielding. Kevin House earned the win after pitching five full innings with five strikeouts and allowing only two runs that were scored in the bottom of the fifth inning as he neared his pitch-count limit of 75.

"Kevin did real good tonight for us," Tijeras Coach Tim Rios said. "He had a two-hit shutout going into the fifth inning before he hit his pitch-count limit, but as a team our guys did an amazing job for as young as we are."

San Clemente will be back in action at 5 p.m. Thursday against the San Juan Capistrano Little League All-Stars at Trabuco Little League, while Tijeras Creek next plays at 1 p.m. Saturday against Viejo.

Rancho Santa Margarita 17, San Clemente American 7: In Saturday's opening round of the District 68 9-year-old All-Star Tournament, San Clemente American was sent down to the loser's bracket, where it will face North Mission Viejo at 6:30 Thursday at Vista Bahia Park.

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